· web viewbasic principles of matter and energy (12%) a. is familiar with the structure and...

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Praxis® Middle School Science (5440) Curriculum Crosswalk

Required Course Numbers

Test Content Categories

I. Scientific Inquiry, Methodology, Techniques, and History (12%)A. Understands methods of scientific inquiry and how they are used in basic problem solving1. Observations, hypotheses, experiments, conclusions, theories, models, and laws2. Experimental design, including independent and dependent variables, controls, and sources of error3. Nature of scientific knowledge

a. subject to change, consistent with evidence, based on reproducible evidence

b. includes unifying concepts and processes (e.g., systems, models, constancy and change, equilibrium, form and function)B. Understands the processes involved in scientific data collection and manipulation1. Common units of measurement, including prefixes such as milli and kilo (e.g., units of length, time, mass, volume, pressure, energy, force)2. Scientific notation and significant figures

3. Organization and presentation of data (e.g., graphs, tables, charts)4. Basic error analysis (e.g., accuracy, precision)

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5. Basic descriptive statistics (e.g., calculate averages, distinguish between mean, mode, and median) C. Knows how to interpret and draw conclusions from data presented in tables, graphs, and charts1. Trends in data

2. Relationships between variables

3. Predictions based on data

4. Drawing conclusions based on evidence

D. Is familiar with the procedures for safe and correct preparation, storage, use, and disposal of laboratory materials1. Safe storage

2. Proper and safe disposal (e.g., chemicals, biohazards)3. Proper preparation

4. Use of equipment such as fume hoods

E. Understands safety and emergency procedures in the laboratory1. Equipment (e.g., eyewash stations, safety showers)2. Appropriate student apparel and behavior (e.g., goggles, clothing)


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3. Emergency procedures for minor burns and other injuries4. Emergency procedures for mishaps (e.g., fires, chemical spills)5. Evacuation procedures

F. Is familiar with how to use standard equipment in the laboratory1. Appropriate use of equipment (e.g., thermometers, microscopes, barometers, graduated cylinders, Bunsen burners, balances, pH meters)2. Basic care, preparation, and maintenance of equipmentG. Is familiar with the historical developments of science and the contributions of major historical figures1. How major concepts developed over time (e.g., atomic models, genetics, plate tectonics)2. Key historical figures and their contributions

II. Basic Principles of Matter and Energy (12%)A. Is familiar with the structure and properties of matter1. Solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas

2. Elements, atoms, compounds, molecules, and


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mixtures3. Occurrence and abundance of the elements and their isotopesB. Knows the basic relationships between energy and matter1. Conservation of energy (first law of thermodynamics)2. Entropy changes (second law of thermodynamics)3. Conservation of matter in chemical systems

4. Forms of kinetic and potential energy (thermal, chemical, radiant, mechanical)5. Energy transformations

6. Chemical and physical properties/changes

7. Temperature scales (e.g., Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin; comparisons and conversions between the scales)8. Effect of thermal energy on matter and the measurement of thermal energy (e.g., specific heat capacity, joules)9. Methods of heat transfer (e.g., convection, radiation, conduction)10. Interdisciplinary applications of energy and matter relationships


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a. trophic levels

b. matter cycling and energy flow in ecosystems

c. convection currents in atmosphere, ocean, and mantled. conservation of mass in the rock cycle

e. nitrogen cycle

f. chemical and physical changes in rocks

g. impact of solar radiation on Earth and life

h. photosynthesis and cellular respiration

i. energy transformations in living systems

C. Knows the basic structure of the atom

1. Atomic models

2. Atomic structure including electrons, protons, and neutrons3. Atomic number and mass

4. Ions

5. Electron arrangements

6. Radioisotopes, radioactive decay, half-life, fusion, and fission7. Applications of radioactivity (e.g., carbon dating, evidence for evolution, medical imaging)


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III. Physical Sciences (22%) A. Physics

1. Understands mechanics

a. Describe linear and circular motion in one and two dimensions- speed

- velocity

- acceleration

- momentum

b. Newton’s first law: inertia

c. Friction

d. Work, energy, and power

e. Mass, weight, and gravity

- characteristics of gravitation (e.g., gravitational attraction, acceleration due to gravity, mass, distance)- distinguish between mass and weight

f. Analyze motion and forces in a physical situation, including basic problems- Newton’s second law: F = ma

- Newton’s third law: action-reaction forces


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- inclined planes

- collisions

- projectile motion

- periodic motion (e.g., pendulums, springs, planetary orbits)- conservation of energy and conservation of momentumg. Simple machines and mechanical advantage

h. Physical properties of fluids (e.g., buoyancy, density, pressure)2. Knows electricity and magnetism

a. Electrical nature of materials

- electric charges

- electrostatic attraction and repulsion

- conductivity, conductors, and insulators

b. Analyze basic series and parallel electrical circuits- DC and AC current

- current, resistance, voltage, and power

- Ohm’s law

- voltage sources (e.g., batteries, generators)


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c. Magnetic fields and forces

- magnetic materials

- magnetic forces and fields (e.g., magnetic poles, attractive and repulsive forces)- electromagnets

3. Understands basic waves and optics

a. Characteristics of light and the electromagnetic spectrum- nature of light

- visible spectrum and color

- ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, and gamma

b. Basic characteristics and types of waves

- transverse and longitudinal

- frequency, amplitude, wavelength, speed, intensityc. Basic wave phenomena

- reflection, refraction, diffraction, and dispersion

- absorption and transmission

- interference, scattering, and polarization

- doppler effect

d. Basic characteristics and phenomena of sound


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- pitch/frequency and loudness/intensity

- sound-wave production, air vibrations, and resonance (e.g., tuning forks)e. Basic optics

- mirrors

- lenses and their applications (e.g., the human eye, microscope, telescope)- prisms

- fiber optics

B. Chemistry

1. Is familiar with how to use the periodic table to predict the physical and chemical properties of elementsa. Organization of the periodic table

- arranged in columns and rows (e.g., groups/families, periods)- includes symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass for each elementb. General trends in chemical reactivity based on position of elements in the periodic table (e.g., metallic and nonmetallic elements, noble gases)c. General trends in physical properties based on

position of elements in the periodic table (e.g.,


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atomic radius, ionization energy)2. Knows the types of chemical bonding and the composition of simple chemical compoundsa. Covalent and ionic bonding

b. Intermolecular attractions such as hydrogen bondingc. Names of simple chemical compounds

- ionic

- covalent compounds involving two elements

- acids and bases

d. Interpret chemical formulas

- describe formulas in terms of moles of atoms

- percent composition

- empirical/molecular formulas

- electron dot and structural formulas

3. Understands states of matter and phase changes between thema. Basic assumptions of the kinetic molecular theory of matter (e.g., particles in constant motion, speed and energy of gas particles are related to temperature)b. Ideal gas laws (e.g., Charles’ law: volume is proportional to temperature; Boyle’s law: pressure


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and volume are inversely proportional)c. Phase changes

- melting/freezing

- vaporization/condensation

- sublimation

- heating/cooling curves

4. Knows how to balance and use simple chemical equationsa. Balance simple chemical reactions

b. Simple stoichiometric calculations involving balanced equationsc. Use chemical formulas to identify and describe simple chemical reaction equations- combustion

- oxidation (e.g., iron rusting)

- neutralization

- single or double replacement

d. Energy relationships (e.g., endothermic reactions, exothermic reactions)e. Factors that affect reaction rates (e.g., concentration, temperature, pressure, catalysts/enzymes)


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5. Understands basic concepts in acid-base chemistrya. Chemical and physical properties of acids and basesb. pH scale

c. Neutralization

d. Buffers

6. Is familiar solutions and solubility

a. Solution terminology and identification of different types of solutions- dilute and concentrated

- saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated

- solvent and solute

- concentrations of solutions in terms of molarity

7. Factors affecting the dissolving process and solubility of substances- effect of temperature and particle size on dissolving- effect of temperature on solubility

- polar versus nonpolar solvents and solutes (e.g., like dissolves like)- ionic compounds dissociate into ions in solution (e.g., electrolytes)


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IV. Life Sciences (24%)A. Understands basic structure and function of cells and their organelles1. Structure and function of cell membranes (e.g., passive and active transport, osmosis)2. Structure and function of cell organelles

3. Levels of organization (cells, tissues, organs, organ systems) 4. Major cell types (e.g., muscle, nerve, epithelial)

5. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

B. Understands basic cell reproduction

1. Cell cycle

2. Mitosis

3. Meiosis

4. Cytokinesis

C. Is familiar with the basic biochemistry of life

1. Cellular respiration

2. Photosynthesis

3. Biological molecules (e.g., DNA, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes)D. Understands basic genetics


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1. DNA structure

2. Replication, transcription, and translation

3. Dominant and recessive alleles

4. Mendelian inheritance (e.g., genotype, phenotype, use of Punnett squares)5. Mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, and common human genetic disordersE. Understands the theory and key mechanisms of evolution1. Mechanisms of evolution (e.g., natural selection, punctuated equilibrium)2. Isolation mechanisms and speciation

3. Supporting evidence (e.g., fossil record, comparative genetics, homologous structures)Knows the elements of the hierarchical classification scheme and the characteristics of the major groups of organisms1. Classification schemes (e.g., domain, kingdom, phylum/division, class, order, family, genus, species)2. Characteristics of animals, plants, fungi, protists, and moneraG. Knows the major structures and functions of plant organs and systems


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1. Characteristics of vascular and nonvascular plants2. Control mechanisms and responses to stimuli

3. Structure and function of leaves, roots, and stems4. Asexual and sexual reproduction

5. Uptake and transport of nutrients and water

6. Growth

H. Knows the basic anatomy and physiology of animals, including structure and function of human body systems and the major differences between humans and other animals1. Homeostasis

2. Exchange with the environment (e.g., respiratory, excretory, digestive systems)3. Internal transport and exchange (e.g., circulatory system)4. Movement and support (e.g., skeletal and muscular systems)5. Reproduction and development

6. Immune systems

7. Control systems (e.g., nervous system, endocrine system)


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8. Response to stimuli and other organismal behaviorI. Knows key aspects of ecology

1. Population dynamics (e.g., growth curves; carrying capacity; behavior such as territoriality, mating systems, and social systems)2. Community ecology (e.g., niche, succession, species diversity, interspecific relationships such as predator-prey and parasitism)3. Ecosystems

a. biomes

b. stability and disturbances (e.g., glaciation, effect of global warming)c. energy flow (e.g., trophic levels, food webs)

d. biogeochemical cycles (e.g., water, nitrogen, and carbon cycles, biotic/abiotic interaction)V. Earth and Space Sciences (18%) A. Is familiar with physical geology

1. Types and characteristics of rocks, minerals, and their formation processesa. Characteristics of rocks and their formation processes (e.g., igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; the rock cycle)b. Characteristics of minerals and their formation


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processes (e.g., classes of minerals, crystals, hardness)2. Processes involved in erosion, weathering, and deposition of Earth’s surface materials and soil formationa. Erosion and deposition (e.g., agents of erosion)

b. Chemical and physical (mechanical) weathering

c. Characteristics of soils (e.g., types, soil profile)

d. Porosity and permeability

e. Runoff and infiltration

3. Earth’s basic structure and internal processes

a. Earth’s layers (e.g., lithosphere, mantle, core)

b. Earth’s shape and size

c. Geographical features (e.g., mountains, plateaus, mid-ocean ridges)d. Earth’s magnetic field

e. Plate tectonics theory and evidence

- folding and faulting

- continental drift

- magnetic reversals

- characteristics of volcanoes (e.g., types, lava, eruptions)


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- characteristics of earthquakes (e.g., epicenters, faults, tsunamis)- seismic waves and triangulation

4. Water cycle

a. Evaporation

b. Condensation

c. Precipitation

d. Runoff

B. Is familiar with Historical Geology

1. Principle of uniformitarianism

2. Basic principles of stratigraphy (e.g., law of superposition)3. Relative and absolute time (e.g., index fossils, radioactive dating)4. Geologic time scale (e.g., eras, periods)

5. Fossil formation and the fossil record

6. Important events in Earth’s geologic history (e.g., mass extinctions, Cambrian explosion, ice ages, meteor impacts)C. Is familiar with the structure and processes of Earth’s oceans and other bodies of water1. Geographic location of Earth’s oceans and seas


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2. Tides, waves, and currents

3. Estuaries and barrier islands

4. Island, reef, and atoll formation

5. Polar ice caps, icebergs, and glaciers

6. Lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and river deltas

7. Groundwater, water table, wells, and aquifers

8. Properties of water that affect Earth systems (e.g., density changes upon freezing, high heat capacity, polar solvent, hydrogen bonding)D. Knows basic meteorology and major factors that affect climate and seasons1. Basic meterology

a. Structure of Earth’s atmosphere (e.g., troposphere, stratosphere)b. Composition of Earth’s atmosphere (e.g., percent composition of oxygen and nitrogen)c. Atmospheric pressure and temperature

d. Wind

e. Cloud types and cloud formation

f. Frontal systems, weather maps, storms, and severe weatherg. Humidity, dew point, and frost point


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h. Forms of precipitation

2. Major factors that affect climate and seasons

a. Climate zones (e.g., Tropics, Arctic)

b. Proximity to mountains and oceans

c. Global winds and ocean circulation

d. Latitude, geographical location, and elevation

e. Natural phenomena (e.g., volcanic eruptions)

f. Human activity

g. Effect of tilt of Earth’s axis on seasons

E. Is familiar with astronomy

1. Major features of the solar system

a. Structure of the solar system

b. Characteristics of planets (e.g., composition, unique features)c. Characteristics of the Sun

d. Asteroids and comets

e. Theories of origin of the solar system

2. Interactions of the Earth-Moon-Sun system

a. Earth’s rotation and orbital revolution around the Sun


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b. Effect on seasons

c. Phases of the Moon

d. Effect on tides

e. Eclipses

3. Major features of the universe and theories of its originsa. Galaxies

b. Stars and their life cycle (e.g., types, nebulae, black holes)c. Units of celestial distance (e.g., light-year, astronomical unit)d. Theories of origin (e.g., Big Bang)

4. Contributions of space missions, exploration, and technologya. Remote-sensing devices (e.g., telescopes, satellites, space probes)b. Search for life and water on other planets

VI. Science, Technology, and Society (12%)A. Understands the impact of science and technology on the environment and society1. Air and water pollution

2. Greenhouse gases


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3. Global climate and sea level change

4. Waste disposal

5. Acid rain

6. Loss of biodiversity

7. Ozone depletion

B. Knows major issues associated with energy production and the management of natural resources1. Conservation and recycling

2. Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources

3. Pros and cons of power generation based on various sources (e.g., fossil, nuclear, water, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal)4. Use and extraction of Earth’s resources (e.g., mining, reclamation, deforestation)C. Is familiar with applications of science and technology in daily life1. Chemical properties of household products

2. Batteries, wireless devices, microchips, lasers, and fiber optics3. Communication satellites

4. Contributions of space technology


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5. Common agricultural practices (e.g., genetically modified crops, use of herbicides and insecticides)6. DNA evidence in criminal investigations

D. Is familiar with the impact of science on public-health issues1. Nutrition, disease, and medicine (e.g., food preservation, vitamins, vaccines, viruses)2. Biotechnology (e.g., genetic engineering, in vitro fertilization)3. Medical technologies (e.g., MRIs, X-rays, radiation therapy)


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